Mr. Robert J. Cleland

Cleland, Robert John, Suddenly on Oct. 18th in Ridge, NH, formerly of Cambridge, MA. Beloved brother of David Cleland and his wife Carole, Carolyn Simmons and her husband Kenneth. “Uncle Bobby” to his nieces and nephews, David, Mark, Kenny, Stacey, Lesley, Christine and their wives, husbands and his great nieces and nephews, Jack, Nina, Richard, Olivia, Jessie and Connor. He was the dedicated son of the late Robert and Jessie Cleland. Bob graduated from Cambridge High and Latin and Boston University. After College he enlisted in the Army serving in the 2nd Battalion Group, 3rd Infantry Division in Germany. On his return Bob pursued his lifetime dream of teaching and taught for 32 years in the Waltham School system. While Bob was the studious one in the family he was also dedicated to nurturing others. He became involved in the Scouting program at the age of 14 and served in many capacities including Scout Leader and Camp Director at Camp Quinapoxet in Rindge, NH and continued serving in the scouting program for over 60 years. He moved permanently to his beloved New Hampshire in 1975 where he worked for the Town of Rindge serving on the Conservation Commission, the Oversight Committee, the Building Committee and served as President of the Rindge Historical Society for many years. Bob’s passions were his “land” and his “gardens” and OH how beautiful they both were!!! Bob’s life was a beacon to many and can be summed up with the words “Well done Bobby. Enter ye now into the kingdom of God” – you will be missed!!! Visiting hours will be held at the Rogers & Hutchins Funeral Home, 292 Mass. Ave., Arlington on Tuesday Oct. 22nd, from 4 to 8 pm. A funeral service will be held at the funeral home on Wednesday at 10:00 am. Donations in Bob’s memory may be made to the Rindge Historical Society, 24 School St., Rindge, NH 03461.

A memorial service will be held at the First Congregational Church, 6 Payson Hill Road (Rindge Center), Rindge, NH 03461 on Nov. 23, 2013, at 10 a.m.

We are saddened by the passing of a true friend, mentor and leader. Our condolences to his immediate family and many friends he leaves behind. He helped many and led by example in his service to the community.

My deepest condolences to the family on your loss.Bob was a shining star to all around him and always had the best and most competitive troop in Cambridge.Many fond memories of decades long ago,I'm sure many share your grief.

It has been said that the measure of a man is not what he has accumulated in life, but how he has affected those with whom he has come in contact. By this measure, Bob was truly a great man. The impact he has had on my life is immeasurable. His departure has left a cavernous hole in my heart and soul which cannot be filled. He will surely be missed, and will never be forgotten.

Bob,Can't put into words how Bob inspired,and mentored so many of us from inner city Cambridge. He was our scout leader for Troop14 and gave us the path to a new life.So glad I got to see him at Quinny's 75th reunion.He will live in my memory forever.Kevin

I have wonderful memories of Bob in Waltham. First he was my teacher at MacArthur and later as my colleague at Central and Northeast. My fondest memory is the year we taught side by side at Northeast. He was a wonderful mentor and friend to me that year. I know he will be missed by all those he met and influenced over his years in the Waltham Public Schools. Rest in peace Bob and wherever you are I am sure the view is of your beloved New Hampshire.

Bob was a dear friend of mine and much like a brother. I know I am not alone in this feeling because to befriend Bob was to become family. Over the forty-five years I have known him we have shared a love of history and traveled many times to historic areas, concentrating mostly on the Civil War. We also shared a love for reading and would exchange books. He was a frequent guest when I cooked and I enjoyed his company. For a while now, there will be a painfully obvious empty chair on Sunday pizza nights. The chair will not be the only thing empty because my heart will be sharing the same void. The gardens of heaven will now flourish from his expert touch.

I met Bob in 2000 when Ma. Audubon purchased Camp Quinapoxet for the purpose of opening Ma. Audubon's Camp Wildwood, an overnight camp for children. Bob was a huge help to us making the transition and sharing information as well as contacts. I recall hauling the old "waterfont tower" up the hill to his beautiful home, and how Bob so caringly restored and displayed it. He remained a friend of Wildwood and all of us to this day, and will be dearly missed.

It has been said that the true measure of a man is not by what he has accumulated over his lifetime, but rather the impact he's had on those with whom he has come in contact. By that measure, Bob was a giant. The impact he has had on my life, as well as so many others, is immeasurable. His passing has left a cavernous hole in my heart and my soul. I will miss him greatly, and shall never forget him.

My deepest sympathies to the entire Cleland family. Bob's generosity, humbleness, and empathy for others is unmatched and what our country so needs so much more of. His loss is immense! He now sits with Our Lord and I'm sure will be busy doing big things there as well. RIP Bob.

Dear Cleland family,My sincere condolences on your loss. I saw Bob's obituary in The Boston Globe on Sunday. We (the Fenelon family) lived next door to the Cleland family on Glenwood Ave. in Cambridge. Bobby, David and I, along with my brother, John, and my sister, Patty, were friends. I was Bobby's date for the Military Ball held at Boston University when he was a student there. I have wonderful memories of our growing up together. May Bobby rest in peace.